The Harry Smith Anthology

This week was quite interesting. Perhaps it was the fact that unlike most weeks where we look at one song or one singer I was able to get an overview of several genres, songs and singer by listening and reading about Harry Smith and his collection.

I think that the Anthology of American folk music is something important to exist not just for those who enjoy folk music but as a historical reference and a timeless piece that represents a major part of American Culture.

Many songs were interesting however the song that grabbed my interest was Henry Thomas' Fishin' Blues. Perhaps it was because it was especially mentioned or its significance as the last song on the track or the fact that though I had heard the song from a previous exercise I had never recognized it as so important that it would be one of the song on the Anthology that will attest to the history of Folk music. However this time I listened to it better and the more I listened to it the more I really began to appreciate it.

I had never gone fishing before but I would often go hiking over the hills in Dominica and hunt crabs that had gotten stuck in low lying creeks, I remember it was quite fun. As I contemplated all these thing the song took me to my home and I decided to the a landscape piece with a fishing rod extended as though I was the one fishing and was able to enjoy it from that perspective. Perhaps I will try it one day.